AgDiscovery Summer Student Program Now Accepting Applications

Dan Agriscience, Education, Industry News Release, USDA-APHIS

(USDA/APHIS) — AgDiscovery is a national summer outreach program designed to introduce students in grades 7-12 to the exciting world of agricultural sciences. The program is a unique opportunity for students to gain a first-hand view of many fascinating career paths available in the agricultural sciences field, including plant and animal health, wildlife management, biotechnology, environmental science, forestry, entomology, food …

APHIS Reopens Comment Period on Request to Produce FMD Vaccine

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release, Pork, USDA

(USDA/APHIS) — In July 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sought public comment on a petition from a vaccine manufacturer seeking approval to produce foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine consisting of a modified non-infectious and non-transmissible strain of the virus on the U.S. mainland. Today (12/1/2020), APHIS is reopening the comment period for …

APHIS Announces Farm Bill Funding to Protect Animal Health

Dan Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Farm Bill, Industry News Release, Livestock, USDA

(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is awarding $14.4 million to 76 projects with states, universities, and other partners to strengthen our programs to protect animal health. This critical funding supports projects focused on increasing practical livestock biosecurity measures or advancing rapid depopulation and disposal abilities to be used during high- …

Florida Citrus Packers: South Africa Imports Pose Risk

Dan Citrus, Exports/Imports, Florida, Pest/Pest Control

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) announced it is authorizing the importation of cold-treated fresh citrus from South Africa into all U.S. ports of entry. Previously, APHIS restricted the entry of cold-treated citrus fruit from South Africa to four U.S. ports that have cold-treatment facilities. APHIS scientists determined that citrus fruit from South Africa, …

Plant Protection Today – Tracking the Elusive Asian Giant Hornet

Dan Citrus, Field Crops, Fruits, Industry News Release, Pest/Pest Control, Pollinators, Research, Specialty Crops, USDA, Vegetables

PPQ Shares Cutting-Edge Methods with State Partner By Greg Rosenthal (USDA/APHIS) — After weeks of searching, Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) entomologists–—with some cutting-edge methods from USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)–—have located and eradicated the first Asian giant hornet (AGH) nest ever found in the United States. For months, WSDA had been trying to find the nest they …

Animal Disease Reporting List Comment Period Underway

Dan Cattle, Livestock

USDA is currently accepting public comment on the list of reportable animal diseases and new ways to expedite the reporting process. Rod Bain has the story. Dr. Bruce Wagner, with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), explains existing animal health and disease reporting systems, and a proposal to create a new list of reportable animal diseases. Sponsored ContentCIR …

APHIS Leadership Signs Poultry Regionalization Agreement with China

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Poultry

(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing a regionalization agreement with China for safe trade of poultry products. The countries agree to follow all international standards, guidelines and recommendations related to regionalization.  This agreement will help our farmers and ranchers by maintaining export markets, which will reduce the overall impact …

USDA Announces Action Plan at Pork Forum

Dan Industry News Release, Pork

(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach announced additional measures to control and eradicate African Swine Fever (ASF) if the virus is ever detected in the U.S.  “First and foremost, USDA is committed to doing all it can to prevent ASF from entering the U.S. and we greatly appreciate the …

USDA Awards Grants for Animal Disease Prevention

Taylor Hillman Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced they are awarding $10.2 million to support disease prevention and emergency response training and exercise projects as well as targeted projects to enhance laboratory diagnostic capability. The agency is also moving forward with developing the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). The 2018 …